If you love fashion and feel excited about becoming a part of the industry, you might be wondering which steps to take first, to ensure that you get a good start towards a successful career. Here are several recommendations and tips:
Look for a fashion internship
Regardless of your education and knowledge, you need hands-on experience in the business. There are many employers out there who will happily provide you with the opportunity, as long as you are dedicated and enthusiastic about the job. True, you will be making little to no income at first, but you should see it as a long-term investment for your career, rather than a regular job. Besides, every so often internships end with employment offers from the company, or even from its competitors – if you get good at what you are doing, people will notice.
Start with smaller employers
While it is everyone’s dream to work for Prada, Gucci, Dior, and the like, you need to be realistic about your expectations and to pace yourself. The truth is that employment with a smaller company will be better for you at this stage, rather than getting hired by one of the behemoths of the industry. You will have more access to the inner workings of the company (and thus more experience), more recognition for your efforts, as well as more chance to provide your input in everything that happens, including decision-making. This will ultimately prove invaluable for your development as a professional and your self-confidence in the future.
Maintain a strong social media presence
It is no secret that these days, if you are not present online you do not exist, period. Your social media profiles need to be carefully built and managed, emphasising what you are doing, the events you are attending and, most importantly, the people from the industry that you interact with. As you probably know already, personal branding is crucial in this business, so make sure that you are always working on yours. It will help you get recognised, acknowledged, and maybe even hired by one of the big players.
Do not ignore education
Education is a mandatory component of any successful career, regardless of the industry or specialisation. You need to educate yourself throughout your professional life – whether through online or offline courses, masterclasses, workshops, or even a university degree. There is always room to improve and learn more, especially once you decide on what your speciality will be. Your education will require a lot of your time and money, but it will eventually pay you back tenfold.
Develop a career strategy
Once you get going on your career path, whether through an internship or by getting your first job, you need to have clarity regarding your ultimate goals and how to reach them. To create a sound and realistic career strategy, you can use one of the many tools and guides available online, or even reach out to a specialist in career development who will gladly help you, albeit for a fee. The career strategy is your battle plan for your professional life – without it, you risk getting disoriented and lost or ending up in a place where you did not intend or want to be.
